PAHALGAM

( Pahalgam is the starting point of the holy Amarnath Yatra that takes place every year. )

Pahalgam is in Anantnag District and is about 96 Kms from Srinagar. The nearest Airport is in Badgam Distt. This Airport is connected with major cities of India. The nearest Rail Head is at Jammu and from there National Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir valley with India. The road to Pahalgam takes from Khannabal or alternatively from Bijbehara villages from this National Highway. Every sort of transportto suit every budget from Buses to Taxisply on this Highway.

It is a beautiful resort at confluence of Lidder river and the Sheshnag lake. The landscape is marked by steep hills, lush forests and the cascading Lidder river. Extremely popular with tourists, it is an important trekking base. One can trek or hire a pony to some of the most exotic locations -like, the vast meadow of Baisaran, surrounded by thickly wooded pine forests and scenic picnic spots like Hajan and Chandanwari. Chandanwari, is also the starting point of the journey to the Amarnath Shrine which takes place every year in the month of July/August. 11 kms. from Chandanwari is the mountain lake of Sheshnag. Pahalgam is located in the western part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, in the northern region of India. It is located at an altitude of 2130 m above sea level amidst the great Himalayan range. It is positioned beside the Liddar River, in the Liddar valley. Pahalgam is 95 km east of Srinagar. The weather in Pahalgam is alpine. Summers (April–June) are mild while winters (November–February) are cold. It experiences rains between July and September. It experiences heavy snowfall from December to February.

Getting There:

Air : The nearest airhead is Srinagar (95 kms).
Rail : The nearest railhead is Jammu (395 kms).
Road : There are State transport buses from Srinagar. One can also hire private taxis

Tourist Attractions:

Baisaran
This meadow, about 5-km from Pahalgam and 150m higher, provides excellent views over the town and the Lidder valley. Pine forests and the snowclad mountains surround the grassy glen. One can hire ponies for this trek from near the centre of town.

Aru
The little village of Aru is actually the first stage from Pahalgam on the trek to Lidderwat and the Kolahoi glacier. It makes an interesting day walk from Pahalgam, following the Lidder river for Pahalgam, following the Lidder river for 11-km upstream. The main track, which also can be taken by car, is on the left bank of the river.

Hajan
Hajan, on the way to Chandanwari is an idyllic spot for a picnic. Filmgoers will recognize it instantly as it has been the location of several movie scenes.

Fishing
Pahalgam is one of Kashmir's popular trout fishing beats. Kashmir is famous for its trout although they tend to be rather small. Additionally, fishing licences are hard to get and rather expensive. A compulsion is to keep am guide and one is also permitted to catch six fishes, which is the daily limit.

Tulian Lake
If one continues 11 km beyond Baisaran one reaches the Tulian Lake at 3,353m, 1,200m higher up. It is covered in ice for much of the year and surrounded by peaks, which rise more than 300m above its shores. It also can be reached by pony trek.